Weatherill threat forces Farrell to withdraw candidacy

Premier Jay Weatherill said the SA Labor Party has been a unified party, while “for better or worse” Senator Don Farrell was associated with the disunity that led to the destruction of the federal party at the election.
Photo: David Mariuz

by
Phillip Coorey

SA Labor powerbroker and Senator
Don Farrell
has withdrawn his candidacy for a safe state seat after Premier Jay Weatherill threatened to resign if he was preselected.

Just six weeks before the state election, the government was plunged into turmoil by the Premier’s threat and Senator Farrell said he was withdrawing for the sake of the party and the government..

Senator Farrell, who runs the Right faction in SA, lost his Senate seat at the federal election and has been looking for a new job. There had been speculation he would force a fellow SA senator aside and take the casual vacancy.

The state's Finance Minister
Michael O'Brien
had announced he would stand down from his seat of Napier at the upcoming election to make way for Senator Farrell.

He said he offered to stand aside for him the day after the federal election when it was clear Senator Farrell would lose his seat.

Senator Farrell surrendered his No.1 Senate ticket position to
Penny Wong
and Labor failed to secure two Senate spots in SA in September’s federal election.

Before Senator Farrell announced his decision to withdraw, Mr Weatherill said the SA Labor Party has been a unified party, while "for better or worse" Senator Farrell was associated with the disunity that led to the destruction of the federal party at the election.

Related Quotes

Company Profile

Senator Farrell told the ABC he was not interested in the leadership of the SA ALP party, but believed he had something to offer the people of Napier.

But Mr Weatherill said he did see the senator as a threat to him, which was the "very last impression" the Labor party wanted to make to the electorate.

"It is my responsibility as party leader to present a unified team and the clearest possible message to the electorate that you know who you are voting for when you vote at the next state election," he said.

If the senator was pre-selected, Mr Weatherill said he would consider resigning before the March 15 election.

When asked if he was serious, the premier replied yes.

As leader of the party, he said his responsibilities were to lead and when asked his opinion to give his judgment.

If people chose a different position, "they will have to reflect on that and maybe they need different leadership".